Synthetica [Deluxe Edition] (CD)

Metric

Amoeba Review

12/17/2012

2-CD Deluxe Edition includes acoustic versions of several album cuts and a cover of Tom Waits’ “Strange Weather.” On Synthetica, Metric’s Emily Haines sounds grown up but still pissed off, declaring, “I’m just as fucked up as they say,” on the album’s opener, “Artificial Nocturne.” The band delivers its trademark new-wave goods while Haines goes for the gut with her lyrics and delivery, on songs like the surging title track and the stomping “Youth Without Youth.” On one particularly smashing track, “The Wanderlust,” Lou Reed even shows up to offer weary counterpoint to Haines’ girlish coo over twinkling keyboards. Clearly, Metric haven’t finished wandering yet, sounding hungry as they further hone their party rockin’ sound to new heights.